The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, approves the implementation guidelines for the Rani Lakshmibai Scooty Yojana, a state scheme intended to improve girls’ access to higher education. The State Higher Education Minister, Yogendra Upadhyay, says the programme aims to reduce dropout rates among girl students, increase retention in higher education, and improve mobility and transportation to colleges and universities. The government also links the scheme to strengthening confidence and independence among beneficiaries.

Under the decision, benefits are set to begin in the academic session 2025-26. Eligibility is limited to women who are domiciles of Uttar Pradesh and who have completed graduation from state universities, private universities, and government, government-aided, and self-financed colleges affiliated with state universities. Selection is based on merit, drawn from the top 5% of female graduates.

The scheme provides petrol-powered scooters. The government says the choice is based on availability of petrol pumps and service centres, including in remote rural areas. Scooters will be procured through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and the package is described as including registration, comprehensive insurance, an ISI-marked helmet, an initial 4 litres of petrol, and accessories, so beneficiaries are not expected to bear additional costs.